The flavor of tea

I don't know why I didn't watch more Japanese movies these past few years. I just finished an amazing film, Cha no Aji (the taste of tea). It wasn't the most effective to regain my waning Japanese skills since there was relatively little dialogue. Still, like so many movies here in Japan, the cinematography and unpredictably freaky (yet somehow more realistic than American dramas) happenings say so much more.

I never had the patience for (was never any good at) finding the hidden meanings in movies, so I won't pretend to be able to analyze it, but what I can say is that watching it (preferably with a good sound system) gives the viewer a sense of appreciation for simple everyday life and the beauty we often fail to see and hear all around us.

If you are here in Japan, I seriously recommend renting this one next time you are in the video shop (the DVD has English subtitles as well). It's certainly better than any of that Hollywood crap I was presented with on the airplane coming over here.